INTEGRATION

It is one of our core services. Since the very early days, in Optimissa we have offered integration of third party systems as one of the three pillars of our work. We are well-versed in incorporating new systems into existing business processes, as well as in connecting them with external information systems. Our team is continuously being trained to ensure we maintain our high standards of knowledge and innovation. We work within your own teams and play a key role in the interaction with your software vendors.

Our value proposition has always been based on the combination of business knowledge and technological expertise. We rely on four key elements for a top-of-the-range integration service: knowledge of market systems, business knowledge, workflow knowledge and the ability to carry out ad-hoc developments. What makes Optimissa different is the ability to quickly specialise in tools that are less known in the market; we use a tried-and-tested model of mixed teams made of business consultants, IT consultants, and the leading specialists in the required applications.

Implementation

We are experts in implementing third party systems. All applications and business processes are included in an “Integration Map.” The platforms and integration architecture is designed to be reliable and flexible enough to undergo potential changes such as migrations.

We have completed projects for the deployment and integration of software from leading market vendors:

Upgrades and migration

We also have a vast experience in the support of upgrades and full migrations. Our deep understanding of testing methodologies, both our own and the ones approved by our clients, ensures the migration process is finished accurately and on time. Our projects evolve through all the necessary stages, from analysis to automated testing.

Ad-hoc software development

It is often required to rely on the ability to carry out small software developments in projects around third party systems, since they ensure a perfect fit to your own workflows and characteristics. Our customisations are developed with the latest languages and methodologies. The Intelligence Centre and Software Factory provide a fast delivery where commercial software does not fully adapt to your requirements, allowing a smooth integration and straight-through processing with your legacy systems:

Support

At Optimissa, we understand that this service goes beyond day-to-day user support. We have designed and developed a methodology, backed by an efficient technical team, to provide assistance in integration projects through to go-live. As well as Level 1 and Level 2 support, we currently offer a Level 3 remote specialised support from our Intelligence Centre to help you achieve your goals. You can always contact us for further information.

Ground-breaking migration to MX.3

Upgrading from the Murex MxG2000 platform to version MX.3 at a Spanish bank with a high volume of capital markets operations. November 2014.

Background

Our client’s goal with this change is to be at the forefront of technology. They know at the entity that updating Murex will not only make operations easier, but it will also open the doors to new features that are not available in the version currently installed.

Challenge

Both the banks’ senior management and the teams participating in the upgrade know beforehand that it is a ground-breaking project, since it will mean a technology leap rarely carried out before. It will also be executed by using the FEM (Fast Evolutive Migration) methodology, created by the vendor, which establishes very clear guidelines and proposes completing the process in just nine months.

The change will practically impact the whole landscape of the entity’s treasury. The repercussion could be either direct, since the application is currently used for derivatives trading and management, as well as risk monitoring, or indirect, since the system will impact others with which it exchanges information.

Solution

Given the size, complexity and repercussion of the project, the bank’s management decides to reinforce its existing teams. Internal staff works together with external consultants in order to reach the set goals. In such an operational framework, communication between all the participants is key for the project’s success.

The first stage was focused on data gathering and analysis, both of the current model and the end model, since the version upgrade would impose a few changes in the current state of the application. With these data, a clean-up of the reports and filters no longer in use took place, with the aim of minimising the volume of components to be migrated. Once the reach of the project was defined, the provider began users’ training through courses in order to provide them an overview of the tool’s new version.

During the next stage, we prepared the infrastructure necessary to facilitate a development environment where the testing, and the work required to start amending the application with the client’s requirements, could be carried out. Once a first version was ready, users started testing and making the appropriate verifications, while the IT teams continued to work in implementing the different features.

The day set at the beginning of the project for the new version’s deployment, the change was made by activating it and deactivating the previous one. Optimissa’s experts carried on providing support to users of the application, ensuring any incident arising was quickly resolved.

Results

By upgrading the system’s version, our client achieved the stated objectives. Thus, response times in heavy processes were improved and manual processed were reduced. The application is much more manageable for users and for the IT team, significantly improving the experience by working with this new version.

New features were added, and now the bank has the option to continue incorporating new components. The scope of the system can be widened with modules for risk management and measurement, or reporting migration to Datamart, which allows for a higher degree of flexibility when generating reports, both online and batch. In the same way, the Murex version implemented will enable new modules developed by the vendor to be added as the organisation’s needs evolve, providing the flexibility required.

Bloomberg SSEOMS implementation

Implementation of the Bloomberg SSEOMS tool in one of the top Andorran banks. November 2014.

Background

With this project, our client aims to incorporate a sell-side only tool that will be perfectly integrated with the asset management system in use, Bloomber AIM. In this way, Bloomberg will become the main provider of the bank in the financial markets field.v

Challenge

The importance of the project lies in the fact that it will mean the formal opening of a new business area for our client. It will be one of the key pillars on which future operations will rely. This implementation will impact the entity’s treasury, as well as the other departments stemming from it in the front-to-back circuit, mainly middle office, (risk, management control, etc), audit and back office.

Solution

The bank’s staff work together with Bloomberg and Optimissa’s consultants to achieve the goals established within the agreed deadline. Optimissa’s experience, analysis capacity and fast problem-solving in this field are required as the software is new to the client. Therefore, communication between all the participants is essential for the success of the project.
The first stage focused on gathering and analysing data related to the tasks that were to be carried out by each of the departments involved, according to the objectives set by senior management.

We created “as-is” and “to-be” documentation in order to define the necessary milestones for an adequate delivery of the project plan. At the same time, the software vendor began user training through customised sessions aimed at providing a general overview of the tool’s new version. On this topic, it should be noted that Optimissa actively collaborated on the development of custom-made training to suit the users’ specific requirements and characteristics.
Tailoring the settings and adapting the system was found to be one of the main challenges in fulfilling the requirements defined by users. As Bloomberg is a very extensive tool, it is sometimes advisable to create parallel solutions that allow customising it according to the specific needs of each firm. It also allows to adjust inputs into Bloomberg and the required outputs for its integration with the rest of the corporate systems.

Results

On the go-live date, our client commented: “for the first time, technology comes in before business”. With the launch of the application, the bank was able to meet the set goals. Additionally, thanks to the proposed customised solution, the users achieved a fast command of the system, and the targets were met ahead of schedule.

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